Rabbit production research in Southeast Asia: a bibliometric and systematic mapping review

Rabbit production remains relatively small, but has significant potential as a sustainable livestock in Southeast Asia. Despite a growing body of literature on it, there has been a lack of comprehensive analysis to synthesize these studies within the regional context. This study, therefore, addressed that gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis and a systematic mapping of rabbit production research in Southeast Asia using a specific search string. Results of the bibliometric analysis revealed 125 articles published between 1990 and mid-2025. Publication output showed a compound annual growth rate of 6.48%, although growth was nonuniform across decades and peaked substantially during 2020 to mid-2025. These articles were authored by 410 researchers and published in 81 journals. Indonesia contributed the largest share of output (50.4%), with Universitas Diponegoro serving as the most productive institution. The collaboration network analysis identified linkages between institutions from Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as among Indochina countries. Co-word analysis identified four major research themes: nutrition and feeding innovation, breeding and genetics, slaughter and meat, and management and marketing. For systematic mapping analysis, as many as 107 primary research studies were closely aligned with the four themes, and nutrition and feeding innovation were the main and earliest topics studied. Recent research trends have broadened to include agribusiness, morphometrics, meat processing and consumer acceptance. Identified research gaps highlight the need for future studies on value chain analysis, life cycle assessment and the application of biotechnology and artificial intelligence. The study concludes with the recommendation for stronger collaboration among authors and research institutions to support and advance sustainable rabbit production in the region.